Stain-resistant polymers derived from the itaconic acid useful as coatings for fibers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to non-halogenated hydrocarbon polymeric compositions which impart durable stain resistance to fibrous substrates, particularly nylon containing articles. In addition, it relates to fluorine containing polymeric compositions which impart durable stain resistance to fibrous substrates as above. It relates also to processes in which such substrates are treated so as to impart durable stain resistance to them. It relates further to a manufacturing process for preparing the compositions of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The patent literature contains significant precedent in the use of addition type polymers for use as stain resistant coatings on fibrous materials (eg. U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,497). There is not, however, precedent on the use of polymeric materials based largely on difunctional monomers, eg. itaconic acid, as stain resistant coatings for fibrous materials. The compositions of this invention are particularly advantitious in that they are comprised mainly of low toxicity monomers derived from a renewable resource, eg. itaconic acid.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The non-fluorine containing polymeric compositions of the present invention consist essentially of pure polymers or mixtures of

(1) an addition polymer of a least one monomer having the formula (A) ##STR1## where

R₁ =H, C5-C22 alkyl, ##STR2## cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl;

m=0-12;

n=0, 1, 2, 3;

X=CH₂, 0 when m>1,

R₂ is chosen from the list above and may or may not be the same as R₁, R₁ and R₂ cannot both be H, and

(2) an addition copolymer of

(a) at least one monomer having the formula described as (A) above,

(b) and may include one or more of the monomers (B) ##STR3##

(c) and may include one or more of the monomers of the formula ##STR4## where

R₃ is H or CH₃

R₄ is C1-C22 alkyl, ##STR5## cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl;

m=0-12;

n=0, 1, 2, 3;

X=CH₂, 0 (when m>1).

The fluorine-containing compositions of the present invention consist essentially of copolymers of

(1) at least one monomer having the formula (A) as above

(2) at least one monomer having the formula

(D) CF₃ CF₂ (CF₂)X(CH₂)YOC(O)C(R₃)=CH₂

wherein

X is an integer from 2-18

Y is an integer from 1-15, R₃ is H or CH₃ and

(3) optionally monomer having the formula ##STR6## where R₅ and R₆ may be H, CF₃ CF₂ (CF₂)X(CH₂)Y, but R₅ and R₆ cannot both be H

wherein

X is an integer from 2-18

Y is an integer from 1-15

For the non-fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers, the preferred polymeric composition should be as follows: Based upon the total weight of the composition, monomer A would constitute between 20 and 100 percent by weight; monomer B would constitute between 0 and 20 percent by weight; monomer C would constitute 0 to 80 percent by weight. More preferably, monomer A would constitute between 70 and 100 weight percent; monomer B would constitute between 1 and 10 weight percent and monomer C would constitute between 0 and 30 percent by weight. The total number of carboxylic acid end groups should not exceed, on the average, one per two monomer units.

The polymeric non-fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers of the present invention are useful in imparting durable stain resistance to a wide range of fibrous materials.

For the fluorine containing copolymers, the preferred polymeric composition should be as follows: based upon the total weight of the composition, monomer A would constitute between 20 and 90 percent by weight and monomer D would constitute between 10 and 80 percent by weight and monomer E would constitute between 0 and 80 percent be weight. More preferably, the fluorinated monomers would constitute between 40 and 60 weight percent and monomer A would constitute 40 to 60 weight percent.

The polymeric fluorinated compositions of the 25 present invention are useful in imparting stain resistance to fibrous materials as well.

The polymeric compositions of the present invention can be prepared by using well known polymerization techniques and conditions. They can be prepared using bulk, solution, suspension or emulsion technologies. Preferably, the polymerization process of this invention is run using an emulsion technique. In the most preferred technique, the monomers are combined with nonionic and anionic surfactants and water to form a dispersion. Initiator, preferably 0.5 to 2 mole percent based on monomers, is then added. The reaction is then carried out at a temperature sufficient to promote efficient initiation. In bulk polymerization, the temperature will be sufficient to keep the monomers in the carried out a temperature sufficient to promote efficient initiation. In bulk polymerization, the temperature will be sufficient to keep the monomers in the molten state.

The fluorinated monomers most preferred for the present invention are (meth) acrylate mixtures such that their perfluoroalkyl groups consist mainly of A=2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and B=2. Such materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,282,905, 4,147,852 and 3,645,989.

Conventional free radical initiators such as peroxy compounds and azo compounds may be used. Examples are benzoyl peroxide, 2,2'-azo-bis(2-methylpropionitrile), hereinafter AIBM, potassium persulfate and the like. Initiator concentration should be between 0.5 and 2.0 percent based on the total moles of the monomers. Likewise, conventional chain transfer agents, such as carbon tetrachloride and dodecyl mercaptan in amounts sufficient to control the molecular weight, may be used but are not always necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following tests were used to evaluate the end use properties of the polymeric compositions of the invention on woven nylon sleeve.

EXAMPLE 1

A 3-liter polymerization vessel charged with bis(cyclohexylmethyl) itaconate (1500 g, 4.65 mol), AIBN (15.3 g, 2 mol %) and toluene (300 ml). The flask was flushed with argon and cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath. The contents of the flask were degassed via 4 cycles of argon purge followed by evacuation to 0.5 torr. The vessel was then flushed with argon, protected from the atmosphere with an oil bubbler and placed in a 60° C. water bath. After two days the vessel was cooled and the viscous mixture was diluted with tetrahydrofuran (2000 ml). The polymer solution was then slowly added to vigorously stirred methanol (8000 ml). The precipitated product was then collected via filtration and dried under vacuum at 50° C. White glassy product was obtained in 78% yield. An aliquot of the polymer (0.1 g) was dissolved in dichloromethane (15 ml). White nylon sleeve (5.0 g) was dipped in the solution with agitation and squeezing to ensure penetration of the liquid into the fiber bundles. The sample was then air dried followed by annealing at 105° C. for 15 minutes. The samples were stained, washed and rated as described below. The stain repellancy is set forth in Table 1 and wash durability is in Table II.

EXAMPLE 2

A polymerization vessel was charged with bis(docosyl)itaconate (17.5 g, 0.023 mol), bis(octyl)itaconate (8.3 g, 0.023 mol) and AIBN (0.15 g, 2 mol percent). The flask was sealed and degassed under argon via four vacuum/purge cycles. The sealed flask was then placed in a 75° C. bath for 24 hours. The molten mass solidified upon cooling. An aliquot of the polymer was coated onto nylon and treated as above.

EXAMPLE 3

A polymerization vessel was charged with bis(cyclohexylmethyl)itaconate (3.0 g, 9.3 mmol), DuPont Fluoroacrylate Telomer B (2.0 g, 3.8 mmol) - α; α, α, trifluorotoluene (1.0 ml) and AIBN (0.043 g, 2 mol %). The flask was flushed with argon and cooled in a dry ice /acetone bath. The contents of the flask were degassed via 4 cycles of argon purge followed by evacuation to 0.5 torr. The vessel was then flushed with argon, sealed, and placed in a 60° C. water bath. After two days the vessel was cooled, and the viscous mixture was diluted with tetrahydrofuran (100ml). The polymer solution was then slowly added to vigorously stirred methanol (800 ml). The precipitated product was then collected via filtration and dried under vacuum at 50 C White glassy product was obtained in 88% yield. An aliquot of the polymer was coated onto nylon and treated as above.

EXAMPLE 4

A polymerization vessel was charged with bis(cyclohexylmethyl)itaconate (5.0 g), Makon 8 surfactant (0.5 g) deionized water (9.0 ml) and potassium persulfate (0.07 g). Vigorous stirring was started and thee vessel was purged with argon for one hour. The sealed vessel was then placed in a 50° C. bath with continued stirring. After 8 hours, the mixture was cooled and treated with methanol (200ml). The white solid product (4.5g, 90%) was collected via filtration and dried under vacuum at 50 C An aliquot of the polymer was coated onto nylon and treated as above.

STAIN TESTING AND WASH DURABILITY EXPERIMENTAL

Coating Procedure: White nylon-6 sleeve (˜5 g) was dipped into a CH₂ C₁₂ solution (15 ml) containing the polymer (0.1 g) to be tested. All of the solution was absorbed and worked into the fiber. The sleeve was then air dried followed by annealing at 105° C. for 15 minutes.

Kool Aid Staining

The nylon swatch to be tested was placed in a large petrie dish. Unsweetened Cherry Kool Aid (30 ml) was poured, from a height of two inches, onto the sleeve. After standing for 5 minutes, the swatch was cleaned with cold tap water and paper towels. The samples were allowed to air dry before stain ranking.

Coffee Staining

The nylon swatch to be tested was placed in a large petrie dish. Coffee, prepared in a drip coffee maker using 100 ml solid grounds (Maxwell House ADC) per liter of water, was poured 30 ml, 71° C. from a height of 2 inches, onto the sleeve. After standing for 5 minutes, the sample was cleaned and ranked.

Mustard Staining

The nylon swatch to be tested was placed in a large petrie dish. Mustard (2 grams) was dropped onto the fiber from a height of 2 inches. After standing for 5 minutes, the sleeve was cleaned and ranked.

Stain Ranking

The dry sample was sandwiched between a white background and a standard stain scale. Numerical rankings were obtained by matching the stain to the scale. A rating of 0 indicates no visible stain and 8 represents a severe stain.

Durability Testing

A nylon sleeve coated and annealed as above was subjected to a standard soap solution at 25° C. (cold wash) or 60° C. (hot wash) for 5 minutes with agitation. The sample was rinsed well with cold tap water, dried by blotting followed by air drying. The dry sample was then stained and ranked as above.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Itaconate Homo and Co-polymer Stain Rankings                                   1A      2A       2D        Kool                                                R.sub.1 & R.sub.2                                                                      R.sub.1 & R.sub.2                                                                       R.sub.6 R.sub.5                                                                            Aid ™                                                                              Coffee                                                                               Mustard                              ______________________________________                                         2-pentyl                                                                               --       --      --  3.0    4.0   1.5                                  1-octyl --       --      --  3.0    4.5   1.5                                  1-dodecyl                                                                              --       --      --  5.0    5.0   3.0                                  1-octadecyl                                                                            --       --      --  2.0    6.5   2.0                                  1-docosyl                                                                              --       --      --  5.0    3.0   3.0                                  cyclohexyl                                                                             --       --      --  6.0    5.0   3.0                                  methyl                                                                         1-docosyl                                                                              2-pentyl --      --  1.5    5.0   1.5                                  1-docosyl                                                                              1-octyl  --      --  1.0    2.0   0.5                                  1-octadecyl                                                                            1-octyl  --      --  3.0    3.0   1.0                                  cyclohexyl-                                                                            2-pentyl --      --  6.0    4.0   1.0                                  methyl                                                                         1-octadecyl                                                                            1-docosyl                                                                               --      --  5.0    4.0   1.0                                  cyclohexyl-      per-    H   3.0    0.5   0.5                                  methyl           fluoro-                                                                        alkyl                                                         untreated        --      --  8.0    8.0   6.0                                  sleeve                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The column Headings 1A, 2A and 2D refer to the compounds so designated in the summary of Invention above. In 2D, Y is 2 and X is various values from 3 to b. The perfluoroalkyl precursor is DuPont Telomer B acrylate.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         WASH DURABILITY                                                                                            Wash  Num-  Kool                                   1A       2A       2D        Con-  ber   Aid ™                               R.sub.1 & R.sub.2                                                                       R.sub.1 & R.sub.2                                                                       R.sub.6 R.sub.5                                                                            ditions                                                                              washes                                                                               Stain                                ______________________________________                                         Cyclohexyl-                                                                             --       --      --  Cold  1     7.0                                  methyl                                                                         Cyclohexyl-                                                                             --       --      --  Cold  2     7.5                                  methyl                                                                         Cyclohexyl-                                                                             --       --      --  Hot   1     3.0                                  methyl                                                                         1-octyl  1-docosyl                                                                               --      --  Cold  1     2.0                                  1-octyl  1-docosyl                                                                               --      --  Cold  2     3.5                                  1-octyl  1-docosyl                                                                               --      --  Hot   1     3.0                                  Cyclohexyl-                                                                             --       per-    H   Cold  1     3.0                                  methyl            fluoro-                                                                        alkyl                                                        Untreated                                                                               --       --      --  Cold  1     8.0                                  Sleeve                                                                         Untreated                                                                               --       --      --  Hot   1     7.5                                  Sleeve                                                                         ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A fluorine-containing composition useful as a stain resistant coating on a substrate comprising copolymers of(1) least one monomer having the formula (A) ##STR7## where R₁ is H,C₅ -C₂₂ alkyl, ##STR8## cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, xyxloheptyl; m=0-12; n=0, 1, 2, 3; X=CH₂, 0 when m>1, R₂ is chosen from the list above and may or may not be the same as R₁, R₁ and R₂ cannot both be H (2) at least one monomer having the formula

    (D) CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 (CF.sub.2)XCH.sub.2 YOC(O)C(R.sub.3)=CH.sub.2

wherein X is an integer from 2-18 Y is an integer from 1-15, R₃ is H or CH₃, (3) and may contain a monomer having the formula ##STR9## where R₅ and R₆ may be H, CF₃ CF₂ (CF₂)X(CH₂)Y, but R₅ and R₆ cannot both be H wherein X is an integer from 2-18 Y is an ,integer from 1-15. 